Govt likely to decide on minimum wage again

JAMSHEDPUR: The government may review its recent decision on minimum wage that has stirred up a hornet’s nest in the state.
Jharkhand labour minister Raghuwar Das said that a committee has been formed to study the minimum wage applicable in other states, like Maharashtra and Gujarat. The committee is expected to submit its report by the end of this month.The government’s decision comes after major industrial associations of the state joined hands to fight host of move by the government, including labour department’s action on minimum wage. The department has slapped over 800 cases for violation of minimum wage rules.
The minister, however, asserted the government has not bowed down to the pressure created by the industrial bodies. “The members of various associations had met both the chief minister and me earlier in this connection.
The government is firm on its stand on the new minimum wage implemented in the state,� he said.
Das categorically ruled out decrease the new minimum wage of Rs 64.72 announced a few months ago, saying, “The demand to roll back the new minimum wage is not justified. The increase is a little over 2 rupees.�
The minister hinted certain provisions favouring large industries might be amended to bring uniformity in the minimum wage structure in the state.
Under the existing law, companies having more than 500 workers pay lower minimum wage (Rs 39) compared to small and medium units with strength of less than 500. Thirty-four leading industrial organisations have openly opposed the labour department’s “operation justice� against industrialists flouting the new notification. They have dubbed the department’s action as “witch hunting� and have claimed sufficient time was not given to implement the new order.“Nobody is against paying better wages to the workers,� asserted Bikas Mukherjee of the newly formed co-ordination committee of industrial association and chamber of commerce. “We were not given enough time,� he said“We were not given enough time. The department started conducting raids three days after the notification.�